A Wedding for Wiglaf? Read Free Page B

best at the time.” Coach sighed. “But sometimes I wonder, lads.”
    Wiglaf sighed, too. Clearly Coach’s story was no help to him.
    “That’s a sad tale, Coach,” said Angus.
    “‘Tis,” Coach agreed. “Now go in and get some sleep. I won’t be in class for a few days, you know. I’m off to Ratswhiskers to visit my mother. Sir Mort will take over for me. He’ll be showing you the Fatal Blow.”
    “Good night, Coach,” the three called. Then they headed for the castle.

    Wiglaf had a light heart all day on Thursday. He pictured the princess opening the second letter. And crossing Wiglaf of Pinwick off her list of possible husbands.
    Friday morning, Wiglaf, Erica, and Angus walked into the dining hall for breakfast. Wiglaf caught sight of Mordred. He was running toward him, waving a piece of parchment. The headmaster was smiling broadly. This was not a good sign.
    “Princess Belcheena has written back!” Mordred exclaimed as he reached Wiglaf.
    Wiglaf’s heart began to pound. Something was amiss. He could feel it in his bones.
    “Her steward brought her reply this morning,” Mordred went on. “Listen to what she says!”
    Wiglaf looked nervously around the dining hall. All the boys had stopped eating. They were silent, waiting to hear more.
    “‘My dear Mordred,’” Mordred read loudly. “‘How kind of you to write to let me know that Wiglaf of Pinwick would make me such a fine husband!’”
    “Woo! Woo! Woo!” shouted all the boys in the dining hall. “Wiglaf’s getting married!”
    “Silence!” Mordred roared. His violet eyes flashed with anger. He read on.
    “‘I shall gladly come to Dragon Slayers’ Academy to meet this redheaded dragon slayer. Please have your best room ready for me.’ Then she says something about even if I have to move out of the best room myself...clean sheets, blah, blah, blah. Let me see...” His eyes traveled down the page. “Ah! ‘I shall arrive on Saturday with my ladies-in-waiting, servants, and hangers-on. If Wiglaf is as perfect as you say, we shall be wed the following Saturday. I shall, of course, bring the pot of gold.
    Sincerely,
    Princess Belcheena, Mildew Palace.‘“
    “Let us be wed, Wiglaf, honey!” called a boy.
    Wiglaf’s face burned hot with shame.
    “She’ll bring her gold!” Mordred exclaimed. “That is the main thing. And she will be here tomorrow! Oh, there is much to do!”

    Wiglaf tried to think. Belcheena must have sent this letter before she received the second one. Yes, that was it. Surely Mordred would soon get a second letter from Belcheena. And this one would say she was not coming after all.
    “We must hurry!” Mordred said over the jeering boys. “We can’t have Belcheena backing out of the deal when she lays eyes on you, Wiglaf. Come!” He grabbed Wiglaf’s arm. “We must get you to Lobelia right away! She’ll teach you manners. Show you how to eat with a knife, the way proper folks do. She’ll show you how to bow. And most important, how to kiss the princess’s hand.”
    The last thing Wiglaf heard as Mordred dragged him from the dining hall was boys making loud, juicy kissing sounds.

Chapter 5
    “ S ister!” Mordred cried. He flung Wiglaf into Lobelia’s chamber. “Teach this riffraff some manners. And quickly! Belcheena is coming tomorrow. We can’t have her refusing to marry the boy because he acts like a peasant.”
    “Tomorrow!” Lobelia gasped. “We don’t have a moment to lose! Kneel down, Wiglaf. For you must kneel when you first speak to the princess.”
    Wiglaf fell to his knees.
    “Start by praising Belcheena,” Lobelia said. “Tell her she has lovely eyes and hair and lips. Make your bride-to-be feel beautiful!”
    “Uh...beautiful Belcheena,” Wiglaf began. “You have hair. And...uh, teeth...”
    “Oh, for goodness’ sakes!” Mordred cried. “Like this!” The big man dropped to his knees. He clasped his hands together. He blinked his violet eyes. “Oh, my lovely